Sometimes, change can be pretty darn fabulous. Just a few years ago, online dating was tabooed as a “last resort” for the older/desperate/socially awkward crowd. Today, it’s quickly become our favorite matchmaking choice: an easy and spontaneous way to look for love. Click. Swipe. Swoon.
Those knight-in-shining-armor days? Long gone. No more waiting by the phone for him to call, and no more pacing by the door, hands too clammy to ring her doorbell. Daters today have taken on a new mindset: if you want something, just go for it! That said, here are four dusty dating rules we dare you to break, if you haven’t, of course, been a rebel already:
Break Rule #1 — Don’t be the first to text (or call . . . if people still do that).
If you’re into him, click “send” already! It doesn’t mean you’re being too forward, aggressive or needy. It means you’re interested. Nowadays it’s easy to start conversations online, and if you wait around too long, someone else will surely do it for you.
Break Rule #2 — Booty calls are a bad idea.
Modern dating has become more about finding someone you like and making a connection, and less about how you do it. We’re not saying that all booty calls are great, but for some, sparks fly over dinner or coffee while for others, it’s in bed. In other words, be honest about what you’re looking for because the days of the booty-call-taboo are over.
Break Rule #3 — Never talk about an ex on your date.
In an age of Google and Facebook readily at our fingertips, it’s getting harder for people to hide behind a screen about, well, anything. That said, it’s more important than ever to be honest with your date; otherwise, they’ll figure out what you’re hiding for themselves. You don’t need to spill all the deets on past hook-up’s, but don’t be afraid to bring up your relationship history if it’s made you a better person from the experience.
Break Rule #4 — Don’t date more than one person at a time.
Online dating’s biggest perk? All those matches, of course! And no one’s saying you can only pick one. So, go ahead and make a few dates with multiple people, see who sweeps you off your feet, and don’t mind the naysayers.
